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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Too Darned Hot is the next musical theatre extravaganza presented by the drama team at Sir John Franklin High School.

Written and arranged by the students, the in-house production promises a little bit of everything.

Colton Pellerin, left, Ziad Sadki and Jeff LeDrew improvise a scene from the Samuel Beckett play Waiting for Godot. In their version, Godot shows up on time. - Daron Letts/NNSL photo

"We are very excited to be able to put on an original musical," said director Andrea Sproxton.

About 40 students fill the acting, singing and dancing roles, with another 20 students running things backstage.

Sproxton and several of the students began writing their play by pondering a few familiar Broadway musicals. They intertwined a dozen famous tunes with a comic thread, incorporating a few cameo scenes and monologues plucked from Hollywood blockbusters past and present.

Elements of the action on stage borrow from recent films like Titanic, Dead Poet's Society and 10 Things I Hate About You. The playwrights lifted ideas from golden age classics like Casablanca and Lady and the Tramp, as well.

"It's a play young and old will enjoy," Sproxton said.

English and social studies teacher Tomiko Robson worked with eight of the students to choreograph 10 of the epic song and dance numbers. She said they had a diverse breadth of material to work with.

"There's such a wonderful range, from classics like Kiss Me Kate and Fiddler on the Roof to the very modern musicals like Dirty Dancing and Hairspray," Robson said. "It's the best songs of those productions all in one show."

The plot revolves around a class of acting students who conjure up a scheme to prevent their drama school from closing down. The imaginative way this classic conflict is presented challenges the students' full range of skills, Robson said.

"It's all musical theatre -- students are dancing, acting and singing at the same time," she explained. "The dancing and singing is an extension of the acting."

Music teacher Bill Gilday serves as the students' vocal coach. Brian Wainwright is creating the theatrical backdrop and Martin Emslander is designing the dramatic lighting to highlight the students' movements.

Many of the roles are shared by a couple of actors, so the cast will change from night to night. The students have rehearsed every day after lunch, after school and every Sunday since the end of January.

"It's been loads of fun," said actor Colton Pellerin. "Drama is a good opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. It's a really welcoming atmosphere."

Too Darn Hot is the young actor's fourth student production in recent years. Other experienced student performers featured in next week's show include Ziad Sadki, Jeff LeDrew, Emma Tilden, Diane Pelova and Hannah Grogono.

"The students have been fantastic to work with," Robson said. "They're energetic, enthusiastic and a lot of fun."

Too Darn Hot runs at Northern Arts and Cultural Centre from April 14 to 18, beginning at 7 p.m. each night. A Saturday matinee is scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 18. Tickets are available at the NACC box office.